The Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) recently organized a seminar to mark the 139th birth anniversary of the world-renowned Muslim poet and philosopher Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Several prominent figures from the Pakistani community in Jeddah attended the function, which began with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an. Some great poems of Iqbal were recited on the occasion. Some of the attendees also recited their own poems, eulogizing this great Muslim icon who made outstanding contributions in the fields of poetry, philosophy, law, politics and economy. But his popularity as a poet outshone all other aspects in which he was a distinguished figure. Iqbal was widely known as the "Poet of the East" and the "Philosopher of Islam". The poems of Iqbal were translated into several languages, including Arabic. Several famous singers have recited his poems. The Guest of Honor at the Jeddah seminar was Saeed Farah Al-Ghamdi, former permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He commended the Pakistani community in general and the organizers of the event in particular for commemorating Allama Iqbal, who was a legend in philosophy and poetry, which is recognized not only in Pakistan and in Muslim counteies, but all over the world. He pointed out that Pakistan is a country rich in natural resources with people who have intelligence and creativity to work for the betterment of the country. However, Pakistan, like other countries in the Third World, is in need of good governance so as to be able to rise to the ranks of developed nations. At the outset of my speech, I thanked the PRC for holding such an event to commemorate Allama Iqbal. I pointed out that those who spoke before me had dealt at length with the unique personality of Iqbal. Therefore, I wanted to focus on the poetic talents of this great genius. Allama Iqbal became famous in the Arab world mainly because of his poetry. Renowned Indian Islamic scholar and thinker Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi wrote a book about Allama Iqbal called "Masterpieces of Iqbal." These include translations and interpretation of some of Iqbal's poems. These poems include one that is an address to the Arab nation. In the seminar, I shed light on the theme of this poem as explained by Iqbal. In the beginning of the poem, Iqbal explains the virtues and characteristic features of the Arab nation as it was blessed with the first opportunity to carry the eternal message of Islam brought by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was instrumental in bringing about a renaissance of humanity with the divine religion revealed to him. Allama Iqbal then addresses the Arab nation, saying that the eternal message of Islam came out of the Arab desert and subsequently lit the world. He emphasized that the Arabs were honored by God to take precedence in reading the Holy Qur'an and Allah revealed to them the secret of monotheism, and He blessed them to become brothers bound by the ideology of Islam. Iqbal also emphasizes that the Prophet (pbuh), an illiterate, brought back fertility and growth to the barren desert, and gave the human body heart and soul, and smashed all idols. The Prophet (pbuh) created several heroes and leaders of believers. Science, wisdom, law, religion, power and administration took their origin from the light of religion. He also says that Al-Hamra Palace in Granada whose beauty and majesty mesmerized even great artists, is a manifestation of the genius of the Muslim nation, after having been inspired from the divine book revealed to the Prophet (pbuh). Allama Iqbal mentions in the poem the backwardness and chaos in which the Arabs were engulfed before the time of the Prophet (pbuh). After speaking about the glory and victories gained by Arabs because of Islam, he laments their plight due to their disunity and failure in holding fast to the teachings of Islam. Islam united them to become a single nation and a single party. However, later they became different nations and different parties because of their loss of the essence of Islam. Iqbal warns Arabs about the machinations of the West and its poisoned arrows. He then asks the Arabs to regain their glory and strength and lead the caravan of humanity to its lofty level. He then turns to the spirit of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), complaining: "The unity of your Ummah has been shaken, O Muhammad: the Messenger of Allah; to where shall we head for peace and shelter?" Concluding the event, Syed Ehsanul Haque, convener of the PRC, thanked the speakers and attendees. He urged Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to give due acknowledgement to Allama Iqbal's contributions to Pakistan. Haque condemned cancelation of the national holiday on Iqbal Day, saying that it will send a negative message to the younger generation about the great poet. He appealed to include Iqbal's mission as part of the curriculum to be taught to the young in Pakistan. Haque also called for establishing a university named after Allama Iqbal exclusively for teaching his poems and philosophy. The PRC leader demanded the United Nations to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir in line with its earlier resolutions. He also thanked the Pakistani prime minister for the creation of a parliamentary committee, headed by the deputy foreign minister, to discuss the issue of the repatriation and rehabilitation of the stranded Pakistanis who have been languishing in squalid camps in Bangladesh for 45 years. — Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at [email protected]
